Roper Rip-Off @ Lowe's

[lovestowash]

I have a friend who was in dire need of a new, inexpensive top-loader, for a Sunday delivery...

So she went to Lowe's and purchased the Roper RTW4440...

She phones, claiming that the washer, although it's advertised as a 2-speed, only has one speed (high), as she tested all the cycles...

And after reading the reviews for the machine at Lowe's, it appears that the rinse uses only a partial fill, regardless of load size...

I remember someone here bought the comparable Admiral at Home Depot, and claimed it had only one wash speed as well...

Anyone have experience with this Roper?...

 

I noticed they have a Hotpoint and GE in the low-priced line, claiming to be 2-speed machines as well...

Does anyone have experience with the Hotpoint or the comparable GE?...are there indeed 2 wash speeds, and will the tub fill completely for the rinse?...

Thanks...

 

George

 

http://www.lowes.com/pl_200+400_4294857976+5003701_4294937087_?Ns=p_product_price|1

 

[appnut]

George, I just checked out the GE, it's billeed as 2-speed, however when I look at the control panel as well as read the user manual, it's "2nd speed" is achieved via having agitation "pulsed", so probably quick periods of regular/fast agitation, no actual gentle speed. Even this entry level GE is more expensive than the Roper. [this post was last edited: 8/25/2011-15:38]

 

[appnut]

George, I've done some digging on the Roper washer. and I also looked at the comparable Amana washer. Yes, it does specify it is a 2 speed washer, however the 2 speeds only apply to spins, not agitation. And they use reduced amounts of water levels for each watr level, which I find very frihtening when you couple the fact it's a shredmore, lower water levels, and only regular agitation speed.

the entry level Whirlpool is the WTW4800 and is pretty much like the top loading washer, based on their new platform, that Jamie got around last christmas time. But it's considerably more expensive.

Even though I love and prefer a front loader, this is petty pathetic for thos who aren't "savvy" enough to dig into what top loaders actually do; only want a top loader; or can only afford a budget-priced washer. [this post was last edited: 8/25/2011-15:48]

 

[DADoES]

 
Per the parts diagram, Roper RTW4440 has two pressure switches. One adjustable, presumably for the wash level. One non-adjustable inside the console, presumably for the rinse level. The Delicate cycle on these one-speed machines usually runs an intermittent agitate/pause/agitate, like Maytag's FabricMatic.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

The Roper, the Admiral, and the Estate 4400-series machines are all basically the same, and yes, they have one agitate speed, but the two-speed motors are utilized for a slow-speed spin on a couple cycle phases. Why I have no idea - if you have a two speed motor, why not slow agitate on Delicate...makes no sense to me at all. These are good selling models and have been this way for a number of years.

The low-fill rinse is a 2011 'new fangled' idea thanks to our government regulators telling manufacturers how much water their machines can consume per cycle. I would personally never allow a full wash load to be splashed around in a half-fill rinse at warp speed Direct Drive agitation. I'd rather take them out and hand rinse them piece by piece.

I'm not supposed to know this, but I'll let you in on a secret. The second pressure switch is not a single position switch. From what I've been told it has two positions, low and high, and comes set from the factory on low. It can be switched to high and all rinses become full-fill. Simply access the panel and flip the switch. I would do this in one quick nano-second if that were my machine.

I hope that helps!

Gordon

 

[appnut]

2nd pressure switch

Gordon, when Glenn let it be known there were two pressure switches, one of which for rinse, I knew there had tio be a way this could be "adjusted" and I was going to volunteer Yogitunes to investigate. Glad to know there is this secret option.

 

[lovestowash]

Bob, Glenn, Gordon...

Thanks loads for the info!...

I knew the aw.org guys would have the answers...

I'm going to tell her to return to Lowe's and select a machine that they can confirm will have a true delicate wash speed, and a traditional full rinse...with a "real" agitator...

Do you happen to know if the GE/Hotpoints have followed the same path as the Roper/Admiral/Estate models with the Fabric-Matic cycle, and the partial fill for the rinse?...

 

George

 

 

[combo52]

BASIC TL WASHERS

I would be very leery of the GE, HPs as they don't last very long. The best bet if one wants a regular TL washer now is a two speed SQ. These can be had foe around $600.00 short of this look for a good used machine. Otherwise the Roper with adjusted rinse WLs would be your best bet for an inexpensive washer.

 

[DADoES]

 
I'd previously read a discussion on a repair forum that coin-op Whirlys are of the same design, and IIRC, have a jumper wire on the timer to allow for higher fill on the rinse. Presumably the jumper changes rinse fill control back to the primary pressure switch.